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Rey Loreto falters in bid for WBA title after unanimous decision loss to unbeaten Thai champ

FILIPINO Rey Loreto failed in his world title bid after suffering a unanimous decision loss to reigning champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong in their World Boxing Association (WBA) strawweight bout on Saturday at Chonburi, Thailand.

The 29-year-old challenger was knocked down in the 10th round and lost in all three judges' scorecards via 117-110, 117-110, and 115-113.

The native of Davao City fell in the 10th round courtesy of aright cross to the jaw by the champion.

Loreto tried to turn the fight around in the last two rounds, but Niyomtrong wisely slowed things down by repeatedly clinching to the challenger.

The loss cut short the two-year winning streak of the Filipino, who fell to a 23-14 record with 15 KOs.

Niyomtrong, 29, meanwhile, kept his unbeaten mark at 16-0 (with 7 KOs), as he successfully defended his title for the third straight time.